PASTEL has joined the recent trend of restaurants opening in the world-renowned museums of major international cities, such as The Modern in New York’s MOMA, and Nerua at the Guggenheim Bilbao. All of these elegant modern restaurants feature extraordinary designs, and are also open to the public outside the museums’ regular hours.
PASTEL was opened by leading professionals from the restaurant and hospitality fields: Teddy Shauli and Itzik Hangal (Dubnov 8, Giacometti and more), Zviki Eshet (former CEO of the Arcaffe Group), David Kishka (former Rafael manager), Tali Angel and Alon Tchetchik (event production).
Designed by architects Alon Baranowitz and Irena Kronenberg, the restaurant was intended to form an integral part of the museum’s new wing, which features a design by Preston Scott Cohen. The building envelope is drawn into the interior, sculpting the seating area and bar, so that it seems as though PASTEL has traveled through a time tunnel and landed in the center of this space, which is richly outfitted with all the finery of a classic brasserie – upholstered booths, antique wooden flooring, a deep burgundy-colored bar, multihued marble surfaces, and Art Nouveau lighting featuring crystal and gilded metal.
PASTEL consists of three areas – a central space, a terrace overlooking the museum’s sculpture garden, and the intimate, almost entirely secluded Cocoon bar, which has been specially designed for smokers. The varied seating options in each area offer a range of leisure experiences and informal seating for relaxation and dining – a full meal or quick bite to eat before and after performances in this bustling cultural complex of Tel Aviv.
